Access Now

Digital rights
for everyone.

Derechos digitales
para todas.

.الحقوق الرقمية للجميع

Droits numériques
pour tous.

Access Now defends and extends the digital rights of people and communities at risk. By combining direct technical support, strategic advocacy, grassroots grantmaking, and convenings such as RightsCon, we fight for human rights in the digital age.

Recent News & Updates

AI to content moderation: Five highlights from RightsCon

9 Jun 2023
News
AI to content moderation: Five highlights from RightsCon
9 Jun 2023
AI to content moderation: Five highlights from RightsCon
I Love Digital Rights Social Card

New and emerging technologies need urgent oversight and robust transparency: UN experts

2 Jun 2023
News
New and emerging technologies need urgent oversight and robust transparency: UN experts
OHCHR ↗
2 Jun 2023
New and emerging technologies need urgent oversight and robust transparency: UN experts
Ethiopian government internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Who is shutting down the internet in 2023? A mid-year update

6 Jun 2023

Since the beginning of 2023, governments around the world are discovering new reasons to disrupt internet access during key national moments.

Publication
Who is shutting down the internet in 2023? A mid-year update
6 Jun 2023
Who is shutting down the internet in 2023? A mid-year update
Protect LGBTIQ Digital Rights
Content Governance
Content Governance

Protect LGBTQ+ Digital Rights

6 Jun 2023
Campaign
Protect LGBTQ+ Digital Rights
6 Jun 2023
Protect LGBTQ+ Digital Rights
deceptive designs US lawmakers
Transparency
Transparency

No more deceptive designs: recommendations for U.S. lawmakers 

6 Jun 2023

Read Access Now’s set of recommendations for US lawmakers seeking to protect people from deceptive designs.

Guide
No more deceptive designs: recommendations for U.S. lawmakers 
6 Jun 2023
No more deceptive designs: recommendations for U.S. lawmakers 
Algorithmic accountability
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

What you need to know about generative AI and human rights

24 May 2023

Generative AI has been all over the headlines. But what are the human rights implications? Get the facts in our generative AI FAQ.

Post
What you need to know about generative AI and human rights
24 May 2023
What you need to know about generative AI and human rights
Image: AI's human rights impact
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Signal president: empower users, workers to tackle AI threats

5 Jun 2023
News
Signal president: empower users, workers to tackle AI threats
5 Jun 2023
Signal president: empower users, workers to tackle AI threats
Armenia spyware victims: Pegasus hacking in war
Surveillance
Surveillance

Hacking in a war zone: Pegasus spyware in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict

25 May 2023

A joint investigation by civil society and independent researchers has uncovered hacking of Armenia spyware victims with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware.

Publication
Hacking in a war zone: Pegasus spyware in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
25 May 2023
Hacking in a war zone: Pegasus spyware in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
Passport and Visa Systems must not exclude members of human rights community around the world
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

Joint Statement: Passport and visa systems must not exclude members of the human rights community from cross-border convenings

7 Jun 2023

These discriminatory systems prevent human rights defenders from coming together to advance their work, bring severe hardship and harm to those impacted, and unjustly place the heaviest burden on people from the Global Majority. Join us in taking a stand.

Campaign
Joint Statement: Passport and visa systems must not exclude members of the human rights community from cross-border convenings
7 Jun 2023
Joint Statement: Passport and visa systems must not exclude members of the human rights community from cross-border convenings
Secret surveillance: countering spyware’s threats to freedom of the press and expression
Surveillance
Surveillance

Joint statement: States must take immediate action to stop spyware threatening press freedom

3 May 2023

Access Now and partners call on states to take immediate action to stop spyware threatening press freedom.

Press Release
Joint statement: States must take immediate action to stop spyware threatening press freedom
3 May 2023
Joint statement: States must take immediate action to stop spyware threatening press freedom
Digital Security
Digital Security

From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most

29 May 2023

People feel restrictions on digital rights most intensely in situations of crisis, conflict, or disaster. Here’s how we are safeguarding people’s digital rights in times of both war and peace.

Post
From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most
29 May 2023
From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most
#NoExamShutdown
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Tell MENA authorities: #NoExamShutdown

18 Apr 2023

Year after year, the MENA region has led the world in exam-related shutdowns. With the 2023 exam season in the region quickly approaching, it’s time to take action and demand change! #NoExamShutdown

Campaign
Tell MENA authorities: #NoExamShutdown
18 Apr 2023
Tell MENA authorities: #NoExamShutdown
Tech and conflict
Transparency
Transparency

Tech and conflict: a guide for responsible business conduct

18 May 2023

This guide is meant to help tech companies think through the impacts of their decisions in the context of conflict.

Guide
Tech and conflict: a guide for responsible business conduct
18 May 2023
Tech and conflict: a guide for responsible business conduct
FIVE YEARS UNDER THE EU GDPR: BECOMING AN ENFORCEMENT SUCCESS

Five years and counting: GDPR faces a make-or-break moment over enforcement

22 May 2023

In “Five years under the GDPR: An implementation progress report” Access Now explores how the GDPR could finally become a success.

Press Release
Five years and counting: GDPR faces a make-or-break moment over enforcement
22 May 2023
Five years and counting: GDPR faces a make-or-break moment over enforcement
#KeepItOn 2023 election watch
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

2023 elections and internet shutdowns watch

9 Feb 2023

Governments around the world continue to shut down the internet during elections. Join our 2023 elections watch to #KeepItOn.

Campaign
2023 elections and internet shutdowns watch
9 Feb 2023
2023 elections and internet shutdowns watch
Report: Digital dictatorship: authoritarian tactics and resistance in Eastern Europe and Central Asia|Resisting the rise of digital dictatorship in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Digital dictatorship: authoritarian tactics and resistance in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

13 Oct 2022

Dictators are using digital tools to repress and suppress democratic dissent, reinforcing digital authoritarianism. Our latest report looks at what’s happening in the EECA region, and how pro-democracy activists are fighting back against digital dictatorship.

Publication
Digital dictatorship: authoritarian tactics and resistance in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
13 Oct 2022
Digital dictatorship: authoritarian tactics and resistance in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Comunicado conjunto contra la persecución de Oscar Costero
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Organizaciones de sociedad civil denuncian la persecución del activista venezolano Oscar Costero

22 May 2023
Press Release
Organizaciones de sociedad civil denuncian la persecución del activista venezolano Oscar Costero
22 May 2023
Organizaciones de sociedad civil denuncian la persecución del activista venezolano Oscar Costero
surveillance tech at the EU borders
Privacy
Privacy

Nowhere to turn: How surveillance tech at the EU borders is endangering lives

23 May 2023

Surveillance tech at the EU borders is endangering lives. Authorities must #ProtectNotSurveil people on the move.

Publication
Nowhere to turn: How surveillance tech at the EU borders is endangering lives
23 May 2023
Nowhere to turn: How surveillance tech at the EU borders is endangering lives
Nuevo análisis: Empresas que distribuyen tecnologías de vigilancia en LATAM no ofrecen transparencia en cuanto a su impacto en los derechos humanos
Surveillance
Surveillance

Nuevo análisis: Las empresas que distribuyen tecnologías de vigilancia en LATAM no ofrecen transparencia en materia derechos humanos

26 Apr 2023
Press Release
Nuevo análisis: Las empresas que distribuyen tecnologías de vigilancia en LATAM no ofrecen transparencia en materia derechos humanos
26 Apr 2023
Nuevo análisis: Las empresas que distribuyen tecnologías de vigilancia en LATAM no ofrecen transparencia en materia derechos humanos
Tunisia digitization programs
Digital Identity Systems
Digital Identity Systems

Past learnings must be ‘at the heart of implementing’ a digital identity system in Kenya

24 May 2023
Press Release
Past learnings must be ‘at the heart of implementing’ a digital identity system in Kenya
24 May 2023
Past learnings must be ‘at the heart of implementing’ a digital identity system in Kenya
Transparency
Transparency

Why shareholders don’t trust Big Tech — and how to fix that

17 May 2023

As we enter the 2023 AGM season, we look at what shareholder proposals for Big Tech companies Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta reveal about the companies’ capacity to mitigate risk and ensure accountability for emerging tech like AI.

Post
Why shareholders don’t trust Big Tech — and how to fix that
17 May 2023
Why shareholders don’t trust Big Tech — and how to fix that
RightsCon Costa Rica 2023 RightsCon

RightsCon

The world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age

Digital Security Helpline Helpline

Helpline

24/7 assistance for human rights defenders at risk in every region

Access Now Grants Grants

Grants

Supporting the grassroots and frontline organizations fighting for your rights around the world

We mobilize around the world

Access Now is made up of a diverse team of more than 130 experts working in centers of political power, tech innovation, and civic action around the world. We have registered offices in Belgium, Costa Rica, Germany, Tunisia, and the United States, with team members based in more than 20 countries across six continents.